Friday, January 18, 2013

Hereditary Headaches

2013 was supposed to be the year that I get organized with genealogy and update my blog more often including adding photos to accompany my stories. The pain has been holding me back.

I finally visited a neurologist a few months ago to find out why I was getting headaches every day. I was living on painkillers and I would often take two pills as soon as I got out of bed in the morning. It is not normal to take this over the counter medicine as soon as I wake up and then more throughout the day. Why? Why was I always in pain?
The neurologist diagnosed me with Chronic Daily Migraines. I didn't want to think that I had migraines every day so I suggested that it might be stress since I'm not happy with my job. The doctor told me that stress could contribute to migraines but is not the only cause. He also told me that chocolate, Chinese food, and cheese could trigger the migraines. Then he told me that migraines can be hereditary with the women in the family.
What? hereditary headaches ? ? ?
I asked my mother if she ever had migraines or ever had this type of headache when she was younger. My mother told me that she's had a migraine only once in her life. I asked about my grandmother getting headaches but my mother didn't know. She said that MaMa had a very low tolerance for pain. Well, that's no help.

As of this writing, the medicine that the doctor prescribed which came with 6 refills is no longer effective after taking it for two months. I am seriously considering finding another doctor or maybe trying some type of herbal remedy. I need relief from these migraines...
Why did I have to inherit the headaches?

2 comments:

I do think migraines are inherited. Both my daughters get them, just like me, and my granddaughter started getting them when she was a toddler. The boys in the family have had them, but theirs seemed to decline with age. I don't get them as often as I used to (I'm 70!). Did the dr. prescribe anything like Imitrex or Zomig? I take Imitrex at the first hint of a headache now. Not pain pills. You can have rebound headaches from pain meds. Hope you get some relief soon.

Thanks Bettyann. I actually think that's what I'm getting now, Rebound headaches. I'm trying to wean myself off the Excedrin Migraine. I took Excedrin PM last night then only one Excedrin Migraine this morning before work. I had no pain all day but I did feel lightheaded. thanks again ♥